Nothing is known about his architectural training but in 1817 he made designs for the re-building of Ringwood vicarage in Hampshire.

Between about 1820 and 1830 he worked in partnership with George Woolcott in Doughty Street as Builders and Surveyors.

In this period Browning and Woolcott worked as contractors for a number of major building projects in London.

They also built Strensham Court in Worcestershire, probably to designs by George Maddox.

In 1847, his son, Edward Browning, who had trained under George Maddox, joined the practice.